ASP 4-Star Quiksilver PE Pro Lands at Mexican Pipeline

David Rutherford (MEX), 28, will look to defend his title at this year’s Quiksilver PE Pro. Credit: ASP / SHADLEY

PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Oaxaca, Mexico (Monday, July 18, 2011) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Quiksilver PE Pro is just days away from landing at Puerto Escondido’s Playa Zicatela for the third consecutive year. The iconic wave of the Mexican Pipeline combined with ASP 4-Star points has attracted an impressive blend of global surfing talent who are in search of big barrels and valuable points towards their ASP World Ranking.

The Quiksilver PE Pro will hold a waiting period from July 21 through 29, 2011, allowing event organizers the opportunity to choose the optimal conditions to run the 112 man event at the perilous wave of Playa Zicatela.

Ezekiel Lau (Honolulu, HI), 17, winner of the ASP 4-Star Copa Quiksilver El Salvador, made a last-minute decision to enter the Quiksilver PE Pro and is hoping to carry the momentum from his recent victory into the next Latin American event.

“I’m coming off of the win in El Salvador and want to try and keep the ball rolling,” Lau said. “This event also fits well with my school schedule so I figured I’d go.”

Lau has been enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and high-quality surf destinations at the recent string of Quiksilver Latin American events on the ASP North American calendar and is hungry to use the event at Puerto Escondido to build his ASP World Ranking.

“These events feel like more of a surf trip than a contest,” Lau said. “I’m happy to pick up the points and build my seed. I hope it helps me get in to the Triple Crown.”

Although Lau will be making his maiden voyage to Puerto Escondido, the talented Hawaiian is out to apply his heavy-water skills groomed by his home island of Oahu to earn a successful result at the Quiksilver PE Pro.

“I’ve never been to Puerto before, but I saw the footage from last year and it was huge, it looks gnarly,” Lau said. “I’m excited to hopefully get some good waves and some big barrels.”